Jitneys resume service from Atlantic City International Airport free of charge

A jitney wait outside the Atlantic City International Airport, in Egg Harbor Township, as passengers leave the terminal Wednesday March 27, 2013.

Jitneys resumed service today to and from the Atlantic City International Airport following a cease-and-desist order issued by the Federal Transit Administration earlier this week.

The South Jersey Transportation Authority, which previously indicated it would revoke its permit to the Atlantic City Jitney Association, has reached an agreement wherein the Jitneys will provide services free of charge while the FTA matter is appealed.

"According to our attorney, that satisfies the definitions set forth by the FTA in their cease-and-desist order," said SJTA spokesman Kevin Rehmann.

The shuttles have operated the route since December 2011, at a rate of $10 to Atlantic City and $15 for the prearranged return trip. They currently have a one-year permit that expires in August.

Earlier this week, the FTA ordered the jitneys to halt all charter services because the association received federal funding for part of its fleet. The association has argued that it paid for 90 of its 190 vehicles and, thus, should be able to continue service.

The FTA's decision was issued Monday in response to a complaint last year by Five Mile Beach Electric Railway Co., which operates public transportation, including trolleys in Cape May and Wildwood.

Association President Tom Woodruff said his organization filed an appeal Thursday and suspended service on Friday.

It has not yet received a response from the FTA, he said, but attorneys for both the SJTA and the association agreed the free service met the definition of the order.

"We're stakeholders in the city and it doesn't make sense for Atlantic City International Airport to be the only airport in the country to not have ground service," he said.

Rehmann said the free service will continue as an interim measure pending a final determination by the FTA.

Representatives from the FTA did not respond to a request for comment. Representatives from Five Mile could not be reached for comment.